XC Preview: Amarillo High men, Randall women enter as favorites
The District 3-5A cross country meet will take place on Thursday morning at the Rick Klein Sports Complex.
This year's district meet is a chance for already proven runners to solidify their spots at the top of the charts and go against strong competition heading into the Region I-5A meet later this month.
The Amarillo High boy's team enters the meet as the No. 3 csquad in the state according to the Cross Country Coaches Association of Texas.
The Sandies are led by seniors Isaac McGill (1st, 15:27.10), Miles Cox (4th, 15:47.00) and Cooper Clawson (10th, 16:55.40) along with junior standouts Noah Watt (5th, 15:50.80) and Jerin Perkins (16:38.50).
McGill's time is currently the ninth-fastest in Class 5A this season and is ranked 32nd in Texas
"Isaac is a special kid in that he is laser-focused on being the best," Amarillo High coach Jacob Dawson said. "He has always been one of the hardest workers I've known. A lot of kids, when they get to his level, get content. He's never been content. I'm proud of how he's led our team in that regard. It's always good when your most talented guy is also your hardest worker."
All five runners have recorded Top 10 times so far this season when compared to other runners across the district.
"I'm really excited about where we are," Dawson said. "Last year we had a lot of young guys and knew that we had the potential to make some strides this year. To see these guys progress and see the fruits of their labor has been a blast.
"I feel confident going into district. I know these guys are pumped to compete in a meaningful meet and I know they're confident as well."
Amarillo High's stiffest competition will be Tascosa, which is ranked as the No. 9 team by CCCAT.
The Rebels are led by senior Gabe Enriquez (2nd, 15:38.80), junior Emilio Salas (3rd, 15:45.30), and sophomores Lane Kenney (6th, 16:36.90) and Christian Flores (9th, 16:52.40).
While Tascosa enters as underdogs behind the Sandie lineup, they could make some moves to take down the black and gold for the district crown.
In the girl's competition, seven of the top 10 times from runners in the district this year have been from Randall. The Lady Raiders are ranked as the No. 7 Class 5A team by CCCAT and have a clear advantage over the rest of the field heading into the district meet.
Senior Cameron McConnell (1st, 17:06.80), freshman Sadie Sanchez (2nd, 18:52.70), junior Sierra Sanchez (4th, 19:17.60), sophomore Hailey Roberson (5th, 19:22.40), and junior Alex Pinter (6th, 19:24.00) have accounted for five of the top six times from District 3-5A.
McConnell's time is the fastest time in all of Class 5A and the state of Texas this season.
"We're ready and we've been working hard all year," Randall girls cross country coach Rebekah James said. "We're starting to come together and I don't think we've had our best race yet but hopefully that will show up at the district meet."
The three other females to crack the Top 10 were all from Amarillo High — with senior Brooke Latham (3rd, 19:14.30), freshman Adeline Turman (7th, 19:32.40) and senior Tatum Abbruscato (8th, 19:47.3) making the list.
Those will be the top three competitors for the stacked Randall runners Thursday in what should be a competitive race throughout the field.
"Cross country is really a team sport," James said. "You can have one great runner, but you're not going to get onto the podium with one great runner."
DISTRICT 3-5A XC MEET
When: 10 a.m. Thursday, varsity boys. 10:30 a.m. Varsity girls
Where: Rick Klein Sports Complex
Notable: Top performers will move on from the district meet to the regional meet later this month. ... For full results, visit www.amarillo.com/sports